Have you considered the LCD-X? Very easy to drive - they sound good to me with only a computer + dragonfly DAC.

Haven't considered them maybe as much as I should...The weight kind of concerns me. It seems these are 100g heavier, and the weight/comfort of the LCD2's is the biggest reason I'm slow to decide. It's reassuring to me when a headphone is around for a little while- earned it's reputation over the course of years. Also LCDX is more expensive. All that said, LCDX is probably a better headphone, and I might enjoy it more.

Recently built a Beta22 and feel that my weakest link in my source are my headphones-- ATH-AD900's. While I love them, I know that it's time for an upgrade (and my girlfriend will get my 900's for her setup and my friend will get her 700's for his setup!). I was originally going to go for the ATH-AD2000X's, but truthfully I'm overwhelmed with the choices available. I love the comfort factor of Audio Technicas and the overall sound profile, but there are so many cool cans out there (T1, HD800, LCD-3, HE series, etc.) that I'm having a hard time deciding. The Beta22 revealed a level of audio in music that was studio-presence revealing and I'd love to see what headphones would do it justice.

This is my last.fm if anybody can make a suggestion based off of my listening preferences:

I listen to a pretty varied collection of genres so it's hard to make a real decision here. I have my headphones on 4-6 hours a day without fail so comfort is a huge factor-- weight not so much, as long as they're lighter than my motorcycle helmet. :P

Recently built a Beta22 and feel that my weakest link in my source are my headphones-- ATH-AD900's. While I love them, I know that it's time for an upgrade (and my girlfriend will get my 900's for her setup and my friend will get her 700's for his setup!). I was originally going to go for the ATH-AD2000X's, but truthfully I'm overwhelmed with the choices available. I love the comfort factor of Audio Technicas and the overall sound profile, but there are so many cool cans out there (T1, HD800, LCD-3, HE series, etc.) that I'm having a hard time deciding. The Beta22 revealed a level of audio in music that was studio-presence revealing and I'd love to see what headphones would do it justice.

This is my last.fm if anybody can make a suggestion based off of my listening preferences:

I listen to a pretty varied collection of genres so it's hard to make a real decision here. I have my headphones on 4-6 hours a day without fail so comfort is a huge factor-- weight not so much, as long as they're lighter than my motorcycle helmet. :P

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

If comfort a factor, definitely HD800. You can wear it forever pretty much. Just worry about the amp, DAC and source or else it will disappoint. I never found the Audeze or Hifiman cans comfortable enough to wear for periods of time (Audeze's clamp pretty bad, hurt my jaw after about 15 minutes...Hifiman is better, but you notice them after an hour or so). Can't comment on the T1, but it should be fine if anything like the DT660. Audio Technicas are comfortable if you can get them to stay put on your head...I HATE their headband design.

If comfort a factor, definitely HD800. You can wear it forever pretty much. Just worry about the amp, DAC and source or else it will disappoint. I never found the Audeze or Hifiman cans comfortable enough to wear for periods of time (Audeze's clamp pretty bad, hurt my jaw after about 15 minutes...Hifiman is better, but you notice them after an hour or so). Can't comment on the T1, but it should be fine if anything like the DT660. Audio Technicas are comfortable if you can get them to stay put on your head...I HATE their headband design.

mmm i wear the he400s all day long & i don't have trouble with comfort or clamping. i really like planar magnetic headphones :) heh

edit: btw, hifiman has come out w/ new HE400i & HE560s that have an improved headband design & decreased weight for increase comfort! coming soon to a store near you in march :)

The pair of LCD2 I had clamped less than the HE-400, Mad Dogs and Sennheiser line of headphones I've tried. The big leather pads probably go a ways in reducing the clamp. I don't see how anybody can complain about Audeze clamp when there's some serious deathgrips out there in other headphones.

The pair of LCD2 I had clamped less than the HE-400, Mad Dogs and Sennheiser line of headphones I've tried. The big leather pads probably go a ways in reducing the clamp. I don't see how anybody can complain about Audeze clamp when there's some serious deathgrips out there in other headphones.

It's the shape of the LCD2 pads. They are big and bulky and angled. They press against my jaw when the headphone is worn, even though they are soft. 15 minutes, tops, is all I can wear them for. I slept with them once and woke up with intense jaw pain. It seems to vary from person to person.

No comment on He-400 or non-HD800 Senns (HD800 = super comfortable, although pads are a little harder than I would prefer) and Mad Dogs with Shure pads I can wear for hours on end (I have heard Alpha Pads are less comfortable). Just frustrating when something as basic as fit becomes an issue.

It's the shape of the LCD2 pads. They are big and bulky and angled. They press against my jaw when the headphone is worn, even though they are soft. 15 minutes, tops, is all I can wear them for. I slept with them once and woke up with intense jaw pain. It seems to vary from person to person.

No comment on He-400 or non-HD800 Senns (HD800 = super comfortable, although pads are a little harder than I would prefer) and Mad Dogs with Shure pads I can wear for hours on end (I have heard Alpha Pads are less comfortable). Just frustrating when something as basic as fit becomes an issue.